Month: May 2018

About to buy your first mini motorbike? You’ll have to know the basics of buying new pocket bikes. It’s not just a matter of what’s hot and what’s not – no matter what kind of bike you buy, you should be aware of some factors that may actually complicate the fact that you own one.

Planning and being aware of the risks and pitfalls that come with owning something like a mini motorbike are necessary. These are just some of the things you have to ask yourself before you can rest assured that the new pocket bikes you have your eye on are actually worth the purchase.

1. How powerful do you want your bike to be? Pocket bikes are made for racing, but not all such vehicles are created equal. If you want a miniature motorbike that could go fast, you should check the horsepower or the ccs on the machine. Some bikes can go as fast as 70 km per hour! These are normally also the large bikes called “super pocket rockets.”

If you want your bike to be able to carry a large load, you should look into the weight capacity of your bike. All these factors contribute to the power of a bike.

2. Can you afford the maintenance? Mini motos may be significantly more affordable than their full-scale counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they are cheap to keep!

Good, imported mini motos could cost up to $3000 upon purchase. These don’t include add-ons, customization fees and repairs! Super pocket bikes, or larger bikes that go beyond the standard 2-feet height and actually approach the full-scale sizes, of course cost more than usual. If you’re just starting off, perhaps you would like to consider a budget bike which costs somewhere around $200. You could then set aside more of your money for customization, streamlining, and learning the ins and outs of mini motorcycle maintenance.

3. Does your state allow pocket bikes on the street? That is to say, do you have the assurance that your bikes are street legal? Pocket bikes are too small to be ridden in public, so they are banned from the streets in many states.

But just because pocket bikes are not street legal, you are not exactly prohibited from owning one. You could own a bike for display, or for riding off-road. You could also take your bikes to designated racing or parade areas, where you could ride them with relative safety and without the hassle of worrying if you’ll have to reason with the police just for riding something you actually own!

If you’re determined to get your first bike from the new pocket bikes that are out in the market, your priority is becoming aware of your capacity to take care of it. It’s not exactly a small investment, and taking care of it is not an easy task!

Crowdfunding can help pay for medical bills… it really is that simple. You can crowdfund for just about anything, including medical bills. Many times people are placed in a medical crisis and aren’t sure where to turn. Medical bills can accumulate in no time and medical bankruptcy is a real thing. You’d be amazed by how many people in “your own crowd” are willing to help.

In a study published in January 2014 from the Center For Disease Control (CDC), one in four families experienced financial burdens of medical care.

This “financial burden” of medical care equates to medical bills that they can’t currently pay and are forced to pay monthly over time.

This study goes on to share that families with lower incomes were more likely to experience the financial burdens of medical care. Those families with incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty level had the highest levels of any financial burden of medical care.

250% of the federal poverty level (based on guidelines for 2013) means that a family of four with an annual income of $58,875 or lower were at the highest level of the population feeling the financial burden of medical care for a loved one. That’s our middle class America. Those are the families living paycheck to paycheck and not prepared for a medical crisis.

The is a baby with his eyes closed and an oxygen canula in his nose. He was born with a bad heart, a weak immune system, and problems eating which caused a condition labeled by doctors as “failure to thrive”. Isaac spent the first year of his life in and out of hospitals in Las Vegas and at Stanford where he underwent multiple heart catheterizations and procedures, open heart surgeries, and had a feeding tube placed surgically to ensure he received the proper amount of nutrients. Isaac’s family had great insurance, covering 80% of all medical costs. But, they still spent over $100,000 out-of-pocket the first year of his life in deductibles and medical related expenses.

Shocking… right?

I know… My name is Kathy, and I’m Isaac’s mom.

I remember people asking us if they could have fundraisers for us, give us money… they would offer to do anything just to help. At that time, I could not have imagined the costs that we would incur, nor could I imagine all the things that insurance doesn’t cover. You assume that you pay for insurance, you’ll have a deductible… The End.

If that were only so.

Words of Advice:

Start a Crowdfunding Campaign Immediately

Don’t be too humble to let other people offer to help you. You really can’t imagine the costs of things in the medical world and how they add up. It is TOO hard to think about money when you’re talking about the healthcare of someone you love. You want anything and everything done… you’ll worry about the bills later.

From a Mom that’s Been There

Don’t expect the people in the middle of a medical crisis to be thinking clearly (well, I sure wasn’t). If you’re related to the family or just a loving friend… talk to them about the medical bills and the reality of the situation. Talk with them about what they need now and what their needs may be in the future and help them come up with a budget and plan to get everything their loved one needs. From bills, equipment, therapy sessions… even therapy dogs, all these things can be a necessity now or in the future.

How exactly will crowdfunding help pay my medical bills?

Well, they can’t send a check to the hospital for you, but they can offer you a platform that will help you tell your story as well as share it with your friends and family. The right crowdfunding platform will provide support for you all along the way, from guidance writing your story, picking pictures to post, sharing on the social media channels, and even help writing press releases to get national exposure.

Crowdfunding can help you pay for your medical bills by allowing YOU to take care of your family and letting your “crowd” help YOU. Donations will be made by people you have inspired and want to help you. These people will have a platform to donate to you on their schedule and an amount that is within their means. They will be assured that the funds are going directly to YOU and not an anonymous organization.

You are not alone in your medical crisis. Crowdfunding is a viable source for helping to pay for medical bills and other medical related necessities.

If you’ve found yourself in a bind or on the verge of falling behind on your payments. The best thing to do is contact your credit card, mortgage or auto loan companies and explain your situation.

Take action

If you have a car loan, you understand the importance of paying your loan on time. If you cannot make your payments on the exact due date.

You are granted a 30-day grace period to make a payment without having this late reported to the credit bureaus.

If you don’t think you’ll be able to make a payment before the 30-day grace period ends or foresee yourself being in a bind that will last longer than 30 days, there is something you should know.

Ignoring calls from your creditor is the wrong route to go.

*While you may feel embarrassed or reluctant to contact your creditor, you are not alone. Thousands of people fall behind on their payments due to financial hardships. The person on the other end of the phone is trained to handle these types of calls and will be more than willing to help you the best way they can.

What should you do?

Most car loans have a stipulation that allows you to defer your payments for a short amount of time while you get your finances situated. Other options besides deferment might be offered such as lower payments until you can make the full payment.

Your options will depend on your specific car loan and terms agreed upon at the time of sale.

If you are currently in good standing:

Call your creditor and explain that you’ve had some setbacks and ask about your options to defer your loan payment until you can make payments. This will usually give you about 2 months to catch up.

If you are currently not in good standing(late beyond 30 days):

Call your creditor back and explain that you’ve had some setbacks and would like to make a plan to catch up on your payments or defer a future payment. Ask about your options to defer your loan payment until you can make a payment. You will usually be asked to make your account at least current up to 30 days before a deferral can be granted.

How will this help you?

Car repossession doesn’t end well for anyone. Not you and certainly not your creditor. Once a car is repossessed, it is usually sold at an auction for a fraction of the cost. This is a lose-lose situation for everyone.

While your loan is in deferment you will not be reported late to the credit bureau as you have made an agreement with the company to pay at a later date.

The downside to this, of course, is that your loan agreement will be extended and you will end up paying more interest in the long run. This is, however, a better alternative to having your vehicle taken.

When can your car be repossessed?

It all depends on the specific car loan you have in place. You are usually considered in default of your loan agreement as soon as you miss a payment.

With that being said, you are granted a 30-day grace period. Some states allow cars to be repossessed after one missed payment. The longer you take to make your payment is one step closer to having your car taken and a serious ding on your credit report.

A repossession will remain on your credit for up to 7 years and hurt your chances of obtaining other car loans in the near future. Even after a repossession, you may still owe the difference between what you owed your lender and what your car was sold for. This is called a deficiency balance. A deficiency balance is usually the norm especially if you purchased a newer vehicle.

Please note that these options are for those experiencing temporary hardships. It is not recommended for long-term foreseeable situations.

With growing demand in semi urban and rural areas, 2 wheeler industry is a high growth sector. The industry is estimated to be Rs.6, 000-Rs.7, 000 crore in size. This means there is abundant opportunity for 2 wheeler finance companies. There was limited awareness about financing for a 2 wheeler in the olden days but with the increasing penetration of financial institutions across the country, it has become possible to obtain 2 wheeler finance quickly and conveniently.

Getting 2 wheeler loan finance has become easy. The eligibility criteria, documentation requirement and the process has been mentioned below:

Eligibility:

Individuals above the age of 18.
Salaried individuals who have been employed for more than a year.
Business owners who are running a business for over a year.

In order to apply for 2 wheeler loan finance, the applicant needs to scout the market for various Banks and financial institutions offering the loan. Based on the terms and conditions of the respective financial institutions, the applicant should choose the one that suits his requirements. The application process is quick and transparent. The applicant needs to meet the eligibility criteria in order to apply for the loan. Further, the applicant needs to submit the application form and provide the required documents to the financial institution. The customer executives are friendly and will guide through the entire process of application. The application will be processed within 48 to 72 hours and the loan will be approved in no time.

It is advisable to seek a loan from a trustworthy financial institution. They offer flexible tenure and easy repayment options. With a low rate of interest and a flexible repayment tenure, purchasing a 2 wheeler has become quick and easy. Individuals with a positive credit history can get the loan approved quicker and are also eligible for the special schemes. Once the loan amount has been disbursed, it is not possible to change the tenure and amount, hence it is important to give the loan application a good thought and settle for a repayment tenure which is possible based on the monthly income of the applicant. Financial institutions offer customized solutions to the applicants based on their requirements. Depending on the type of 2 wheeler to be purchased, the loan amount will be sanctioned.

The applicant will only be required to pay a small amount as down payment and the balance can be converted into a 2 wheeler loan which is to be repaid in easy monthly installments. Upto 95% of the on road price of the vehicle is available as a loan to the applicant and the repayment tenure ranges between 12 months to 48 months. With the increasing demand of 2 wheelers across the country, Banks and financial institutions are offering loans which meet the requirements of the consumers and they also settle the terms accordingly.

Sometimes the necessity or excitement of owning a motorcycle cast a bad spell on our buying decisions, especially when the purchase form is a loan. So, before making that impulsive mistake only to regret later consider these essential factors when deciding to apply for a motorcycle loan.

Interest Rates:

The moment you think of a loan, the interest rate coupled with it should ring a bell. Most often attract interest rates over shadow the risk factors involved. Always begin with good amount of research and comparison of interest rates. You do not want the burden of high interest rates steal the joy of riding your new bike!

Smart negotiation:

When you are about to make a purchase decision, do not merely focus on the form of payment and negotiate on how you intend to go about it. A smart negotiation effort would include, negotiating on the payment. Payment always precedes the payment method!

Loan Inclusions:

Discuss with the lender all the accessories that the loan is inclusive off. You do not want to pay additional bills besides paying off your loan. The wiser discussion and decision would be to know about the inclusions and the exclusions of the loan you have applied for.

Loan security:

Always consider what is at stake should you face difficulty in paying off your loan. Some lenders hold the purchased motorcycle as the security, failing to pay will mean ceasing your bike. Some other lenders may consider other collaterals as security. Unsecured loan plans are other alternatives but comes with a high cost of increased interest rates. So, your loan security should be well thought through deliberate decisions considering all the risks involved. You do not want to risk something in vain!

Loan penalties:

Pause before you sign your loan agreement. Although knowing the details of the penalties tailed to your loan amount can be cumbersome and you want to skip through it, it may not be the best of your decision. At best, avoid signing loan agreements that come with stringent penalties. A decision in time, saves you from a future disaster!

Easy loan termination:

Most lenders allow early clearance of your loan and some do not. It is best for you to verify the termination policies before you sign that loan agreement. You do not want to pay with interest rates, while you own the money to clear a credit.

Owning a motorcycle is useful as well as exciting, but what is more important is sustaining both while using it. Using the right loan tailored to your needs is worth every effort.

Let us face the reality that today, we live in a ‘do-it-yourself’ way of life. As they should, people want to show off their auto repairs, home improvement projects, and many other tasks that majority of us would more often not seek professionals to perform the task, as they just prefer to do it by themselves.

It is absolutely a great value in a number of ways. You can gain expertise from your experience. Sometimes, it does not necessarily mean that it is a better way to go from doing something by yourself because oftentimes, it pays more to hand over and look someone for help.

Many of the car loan businesses are beginning to worry about not only getting in the game but also in maximizing their returns with all sizes racing to compete in the lending market. To outsource car loan business services, many industry experts understand that it is often considered more cost-effective.The most obvious reason for doing this is because industries don’t have to hire new staffs or underwriters solely for car loan operations and services. You have to keep in mind that those industries are also avoiding the other expenses related to assisting the infrastructure associated with an internal underwriting team.

But the advantages don’t stop there because there are a number of hidden advantages that many businesses fail to consider when entertaining ideas of outsourcing their car loan business processing that includes staffing and funding. Here are some of the hidden advantages of outsourcing for car loan business:

Increase the Number of Loans that Leads to More Net Profit

Just consider it as any consumer business committing to sales. As this dealer management is all about being able to see, looking for your niche and catering your offers to the biggest needs of your dealers. Better and stronger relationship with dealers and having more dealerships in the network in order to drive portfolio growth is one of the end goals of outsourcing some services when you are in the car loan business.

Improved Relationships with Customers

Your staff will be able to intensify its focus on strengthening relationships with your customers- making visits, gathering feedback and better addressing their needs that will drive growth for your car loan business portfolio.

A Guideline that Allows the Outsourcing Provider to Serve as an Extension of Your Car Finance Team

Your outsourced car loan provider should be able to efficiently, quickly, and easily customize its financing scorecard to fit your representation. By doing this, it guarantees that making a decision for car loan financing is consistent and fits your appetite and business plan.

Access to Consultation and Expertise

It allows your business to avoid common pitfalls that businesses fall victim to when trying to get in-house functions off the ground when outsourcing your car loan business processing. Through outsourcing, those businesses must hire the expertise that is readily available.

After-Hours Process

By waiting until the next business day to respond to proposals, don’t miss out on those deals especially over the weekend when many consumers have time to hunt for motorcycles, cars, and trucks.

It will absolutely offer a significant benefit over businesses with in-house operations that are confined to traditional business hours when you have an access to after-hours processing service.

Are you ready to revolutionize the way you do business? Grow your business by outsourcing.

There are always risks in the business world. Understanding these risks enables us to seek the most effective approaches to mitigate them. What are these risks and how can they be categorized?

There are two major components of risk: systematic and unsystematic. Let’s explore each risk and learn the best way to mitigate it.

Systematic Risk
Systematic risk, also known as “market risk” or “un-diversifiable risk”, is a result of external and uncontrollable variables, which are not industry or security specific. Generally unavoidable, it affects the entire market leading to the fluctuation in prices of all the securities. The risk can be attributed to a number of broad economic factors such as inflation, changes in interest rates, fluctuations in currencies, recessions, etc.

Since systematic risks cannot be controlled, investors can avoid them by staying away from all risky investments.

Financial Planning- Mitigating Systematic Risk
Systematic risks can be mitigated with certain courses of action. How can they be mitigated?

Asset allocation should also be adjusted according to valuations. Investments that are overpriced should be avoided or owned less. When mitigating systematic risks within a diversified portfolio, cash may be the most important and under-appreciated asset category.

Another way to reduce systematic risk is through hedging. Investors can use options such as purchasing protective puts on their securities. A protective put is risk-management strategy that investors use to guard against the loss of unrealized gains. Put value will rise if securities value drops. However, options are for a certain time and once they expire, investors need to buy new ones to stay hedged.

Unsystematic Risk
In contrast, unsystematic risk refers to risk factors that are specific to a company, industry and sector, and can be controlled to a certain degree. These factors include a company’s management, financial practices, financial health, and its competitive position in the market.

Financial Planning- Mitigating Unsystematic Risk
Unsystematic risk can be reduced by diversifying. To achieve this, the investor can diversify its product portfolio so the revenues are not solely dependent from a few products only. Much risk is reduced when an investor’s risk is spread among different industries (such as banking or healthcare) and asset classes. For example, if an investor owns a diversified portfolio of more than 10 individual investments as opposed to only one, the damage done to their portfolio is minimized when something negative happens to some of the companies.

Again, unsystematic risk can be nearly eliminated by diversification as it is not correlated to market risk.

Both systematic and unsystematic risks are part and parcel of businesses. Through risk management solutions as mentioned above, these risks can be partially mitigated, and investors will be able to see an increase in portfolio returns and optimization in investment portfolio.